[Lewis Thomson (OP)]

This question has been emailed in by Joe.

"One question about the possible drawbacks of fracking I have not been able to find any information on is this. How likely is it that methane will escape to the atmosphere through fractured rock instead of being harvested through the well pipe as intended?"

Leave your thoughts in the comments below...

[Bored chemist]

They don't make sure none escapes.
Quite a bit does.
That's one of the reasons why fracking isn't generally considered a good idea.

[evan_au]

Some legislation attempts to ensure little methane escapes - but that is difficult as it is invisible, odorless and lighter than air.

You really need an infra-red camera to see leaks - like this video from a big methane leak from a storage facility in Aliso Canyon, California, back in 2015.

Methane heats the atmosphere more than carbon dioxide, but it is removed from the atmosphere quicker
- Overall, it is better to burn the methane (and do something useful with the energy) than release methane into the atmosphere
- Sabotaging undersea gas pipelines is not a way to do something useful with the methane...
https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2008/02/26/ghg_lifetimes/

[Petrochemicals]

You must have missed the news.

Only fiscal concerns stop leaks, the conventional petrochemical😉 industry is responsible for about 10% of greenhouse emissions.

[evan_au]

Water on fire from fracking proved

If you live in a rural area with a lot of methane in the ground...
- Then your area is likely to be of interest to fracking companies
- And you are also likely to have methane leaking into your well

Fracking may liberate more methane, and leaks in the methane collection system could also produce more.
- But the tap is a design that intentionally mixes air with the water - you can't tell how much of the bubbles are air, and how much are methane.

[Petrochemicals]

Water on fire from fracking proved

If you live in a rural area with a lot of methane in the ground...
- Then your area is likely to be of interest to fracking companies
- And you are also likely to have methane leaking into your well

Fracking may liberate more methane, and leaks in the methane collection system could also produce more.
- But the tap is a design that intentionally mixes air with the water - you can't tell how much of the bubbles are air, and how much are methane.

Well there is methane now and there was not before. Concerning as the methane could effervess and fill the house with an explosive mix, that shower or bath could be perilous.

[vhfpmr]

How much does fracking reduce the strength of the earth's crust?

We don't get earthquakes in the UK because the crust is stronger than at fault lines elsewhere, but how much can you weaken it? We've only had minor tremors from fracking so far, but the fracking is also minor, what happens as the damage accumulates?